Tom Cruise has been accused of getting special treatment from Scientology leaders by a former member of the church.

The actor has allegedly been granted exclusive visitation privileges to see his daughter Suri since his divorce from Katie Holmes, despite Scientology normally banning members from contacting those who have left the organisation.

Nancy Many, who is a former president of the religion's Celebrity Centre, told RadarOnline: "They have already bent the rules for Tom. If Tom was any other Scientologist - including lesser celebrities - he would not be allowed to continue seeing and maintaining communication with Katie or Suri, because they are no longer in Scientology.

"So far, because of who he is, [Tom] has spent time with Suri, which has already upset the parents and children of existing Scientologists who can't talk to their loved ones. If he is supposed to be a Scientologist, why don't the rules for every other member apply to him?"

Cruise is said to be weighing up his commitment to the church with regards to his personal life, and has been seen spending time with friends outside of the religion.

"When every other person that I have known of leaves Scientology, which Katie did without speaking of it directly, they are instantly shunned," Many added. "By rejoining a Catholic Church right afterwards, she made a very public statement of rejection."